Bahrain GP Preview

Mercedes and Nico Rosberg took advantage of Ferrari’s strategy blunder to win in Australia, but will Ferrari bounce back in the desert in Bahrain.

31/04/16

Mercedes now hold the advantage over Ferrari by making the right strategic move and made Nico Rosberg win but will Ferrari bounce back and take the fight to Mercedes this weekend?

History of the Bahrain GP

Bahrain first held it’s first grand prix in 2004 and made history as the first race held in the Middle East. Fernando Alonso won on his first race with Ferrari back in 2010 and that was his 3rd race win round the desert circuit. In 2014, it changed to a to a night race which witnessed the race long battle with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Sergio Perez’s 3rd place and Force India’s 1st podium since the 2009 Belgian grand prix and Esteban Gutierrez’s flip down at turn 1 caused by Pastor Maldonado.

Most Wins

Fernando Alonso has the most wins with 3, winning in 2005, 2006 and in 2010. Felipe Massa, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton all have 2 wins each.

Ferrari have the most wins here with 4 while Mercedes and Red Bull have 2 wins each. McLaren have not won round here but have the fastest lap set in 2005.

Track facts

Lap record: 1:31:447, Pedro de la Rosa, 2005

Laps: 57

Circuit length: 3.362 miles

Race distance: 191.53 miles

Corners: 15

New qualifying system to remain for Bahrain

After being heavily criticised after it’s hugely disappointing debut on Saturday for the Australian Qualifying, it is to remain for Bahrain. After Qualifying, Mercedes team boss, Toto Wolf said that the new format was “pretty rubbish” and Red Bull Team boss, Christian Horner, apologised to fans and viewers for getting it wrong. Surely the format can’t get any worse?

Alonso out on Medical grounds

McLaren’s Fernando Alonso will miss the upcoming Bahrain grand prix after doctors ruling him out on medical grounds due to his crash during the Australian grand prix. 2 chest CT scans were taken and showed that Alonso had not recovered fully from the crash. A further chest scan will be taken ahead of the Chinese grand prix. McLaren reserve driver, Stoffel Vandoorne will make his grand prix debut replacing Alonso. Vandoorne already has several test days with McLaren most recent experience at Paul Ricard in January.

Mercedes VS Ferrari Round 2

One thing we learnt from the Australian grand prix was that the gap from Mercedes to Ferrari has shrunk. Both Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has classed Ferrari as a “huge threat” for Bahrain and the season ahead. But which team come out victorious on Sunday?

The midfield shake out

Mercedes and Ferrari are way out in front but who is leading the midfield fight? Right now the midfield is made up of Williams, Red Bull, Torro Rosso, Force India, Haas, Renault and McLaren. Then behind you have got Sauber and Manor.

This weekend should give us more of an idea of who is where when it comes to the midfield battle.

Qualifying is on Saturday the 2nd of April with the Race on Sunday the 3rd of April.